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Homemade Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe

by Emily
Korean Strawberry Matcha Latte

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For those who do not know, cafe culture in South Korea is huge. When I lived and worked in Daejeon, South Korea, I walked past 4-to-5 cafes on my five-minute walk to work. On one hand, there are cafe chains in Korea like Starbucks, A Twosome Place, Ediya, and more. On the other hand, there are a lot of cute independently-run places as well! 

For those new to the blog, I am admittedly a bit obsessed with Korean cafe culture and drinks. After all, going to cafes during my downtime was one of my favorite things to do when living abroad. So far, I have written about a few of my favorite cafe drinks:

Nowadays, another popular and trendy drink has started popping up in Korean cafes–the strawberry matcha latte! 

Iced strawberry matcha latte next to strawberries and matcha in a bowl.
This Strawberry Matcha Latte Is a Beautiful Three Layered Drink!

What Is a Strawberry Matcha Latte?

Our iced strawberry matcha latte is the perfect drink to consume during the hottest months of the year. Not only is it cool and refreshing, but it is also quick and easy to make at home!

To make this drink, you need to prepare the three beautifully colorful layers. Each layer adds a different flavor profile to this refreshing beverage. The first layer consists of a sweet fruity mixture made from macerated strawberries and sugar. Then, the second layer consists of your choice of milk, whether it be cow’s milk or a milk replacement. Finally, the top layer consists of frothed matcha powder and water. 

The resulting flavor is fruity, creamy, richly grassy, and a bit nutty. While this drink may have started as a Taiwanese boba specialty, people in Korea leave out the tapioca pearls to make a nice, smooth, and creamy iced latte. So, let’s learn how to make this drink below! 

An up-close shot of the strawberry matcha latte.
Do You Like Matcha?

How Do You Make This Iced Latte? 

Like we stated above, this drink is quick and easy to make at home. You just need to prepare the three different layers. 

First, you need to break down the strawberries into a thick macerated puree using a masher, a fork, or a blender. I recommend using fully ripe strawberries, as they taste sweeter and are easier to mash. Then, once you macerate the strawberries, you mix them with the sugar. Finally, you can either cook the mixture on simmer until the sugar completely dissolves OR let the mixture sit for a few hours until the sugar completely incorporates and dissolves into the strawberries. Either option works! Next, pour the strawberry mixture into the bottom of the cup.

The first layer of the drink in the glass--the strawberry mixture.
First, Add the Strawberry Mixture.

Then, add ice cubes into the glass before pouring your milk or milk replacement over the strawberry mixture.

Ice and strawberries added to the glass.
Next, Add Ice!

Next, Pour the milk overtop the ice. For those looking for milk replacement recommendations, check out the frequently asked question section below. In that section, we recommend milk replacements for different people’s needs. 

The next layer of this drink is added--milk.
Then, Add the Milk!

Then, blend the matcha powder with warm water using either a fork, a Japanese matcha whisk, or a frother. Matcha powder tends to clump together if you do not mix it right away. I find using warm water helps as well. 

Finally, pour the matcha green tea mixture over the ice and milk section. All you need to do next is add a straw to the top. And voila! You have a fresh strawberry matcha latte to drink during these warm months. It takes very little effort or time to make! 

A photo of all three layers of the beverage added to the glass.
Finally, Add the Matcha!

Strawberry Matcha Latte Tips and Tricks:

Below, we list some tips and tricks for making this strawberry matcha latte recipe. If you make this at home and have further tips, let us know in the comment section below! 

  • Do not over blend or mash your strawberries! You want to have chunks of strawberries remaining in your mixture. Otherwise, your milk will mix into the strawberry layer. 
  • Whisk the matcha: To prevent the matcha from clumping, whisk it right away using a fork, Japanese wooden matcha whisk, or a frother
  • Buy the proper matcha: For this recipe, I recommend buying ceremonial grade matcha. This type of matcha is the highest grade. People in Japan use it for drinking. Culinary-grade matcha powder is used for cooking and baking. If you can only find culinary-grade matcha, it will work as well. 
  • Pour the matcha directly on the ice: The milk layer and the matcha layer are both very thin. Thus, it is easy to accidentally mix the layers instead of keeping them separated. To prevent the matcha layer from breaking through the milk layer, pour it directly onto the ice OR pour onto a spoon held directly above the cup to keep the matcha from splashing into the milk. Eventually, the matcha will naturally mix into the milk layer though!
  • Use a ‘fat straw’ to drink this strawberry matcha latte. Because there are strawberry chunks in this drink, it can be difficult to sip with a straw. For this reason, I recommend using a ‘fat straw’ often used for bubble tea!

Below are some items you may need to make this homemade strawberry match latte recipe!

Strawberry Matcha Latte Frequently Asked Questions:

Below, we listed some questions you may have about this strawberry matcha latte recipe. If we do not answer your question below, feel free to leave a comment or email us at [email protected]!

Is This Strawberry Matcha Latte Free of Major Allergens? (Gluten, Soy, Dairy, Etc.)

Besides milk, this strawberry matcha latte is free of major allergens. That means, it is gluten-free, soy-free, shellfish-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, fish-free, and egg-free. 

Milk is listed as one of the major allergens. Thankfully, it is easy to replace! Below, we list some milk replacements for those who have a milk allergen, are lactose intolerant or choose to be vegetarian or vegan.

A shot of strawberry matcha latte drink with matcha powder and strawberries.
The Perfect Summer Drink!

Can I Substitute the Milk with Dairy-Free Alternatives?

For those of you who do not drink regular milk, you can easily use milk substitutes. For this recipe, we recommend using more neutral-flavored substitutes such as almond or oat milk. Other substitutes, such as coconut milk, can overpower the other flavors in this drink. Below, we listed some options for a milk alternative:

Almond Milk:

First, know that nut milk has a ‘nutty’ flavor. So, do not be surprised if this alters the taste of your strawberry matcha latte a bit.

Secondly, know that some brands of almond milk mix into drinks better than others. Sometimes, when mixed with hot drinks, almond milk can curdle. Thankfully, this isn’t an issue with this iced strawberry matcha latte but it is good to know! Some brands such as Silk can be combined with hot or cold drinks! So, we recommend getting Silk for your day-to-day use. 

In the end, we recommend getting plain almond milk without any added sweetness or flavors. 

Oat Milk 

Oat milk is preferred among coffee shops as an alternative to regular cow’s milk. It has a richer creaminess that is most like regular cow’s milk. For those making hot drinks, we recommend spending a little extra money on the barista oat milk variations. These work better for steaming and frothing. For iced coffee drinks, you can choose a cheaper oat milk brand!

Try using Earth’s Own Barista Edition for deliciously rich oat milk! Remember, if you are gluten-free, make sure to buy oat milk that does not contain any gluten or cross-contamination. 

A close-up shot of strawberry matcha latte.
Do You Have a Favorite Summer Drink?

Can You Make This Recipe in Advance?

You can make the macerated strawberry mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container. This allows you to skip a step when putting the drink together! 

The rest of the drink needs to be made right before consumption. Otherwise, the layers will blend and combine. Thankfully, it takes very little time or effort to add the three layers together once the strawberry mixture is made! You can have the drink made in less than 5 minutes! 

We Hope You Enjoy This Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe!

In the end, we hope you enjoy making this strawberry matcha latte. If so, let us know in the comment section below. Also, we would love to hear about your favorite cafe drinks as well! 

If you would like to read more about cooking, you can find further recipes on our blog. We listed some of our favorite Carving A Journey beverage recipes below! For reference, many recipes are influenced by our blended Korean and Southern heritage. 

Carving A Journey Food and Drink Recipes:

If you have any questions or comments, you can also email us at [email protected].
And, finally, we would love to hear from you through our social media as well! You can follow us at @carvingajourney on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Or, if you would like more articles like these, you can subscribe to our blog by joining our mailing list. We hope you enjoy this strawberry matcha latte recipe! Thank you so much for stopping by!

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Homemade Strawberry Matcha Latte Recipe

5.0 from 1 vote
Recipe by Emily Course: Recipes, BeverageCuisine: KoreanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

5

minutes

Ingredients

  • Macerated Strawberry Puree Mixture (Makes 1.5 to 2 Cups)
  • 2 Cups of Hulled, Washed, and Chopped Strawberries, Cut Into Two-Or-Three Pieces

  • 1/4 Cup Sugar

  • 1/4 Cup Filtered Water

  • Strawberry Matcha Latte
  • 1/3 Cup of the Strawberry Puree

  • Ice Cubes

  • 3/4 Cups of Milk or Milk Replacement

  • 1 1/2 TSP Matcha Powder

  • 2 1/2 TBSP Hot Water (170°F)

Directions

  • First, make the strawberry mixture. Combine the water, sugar, and strawberries in a blender or bowl. Either blend or mash the strawberries until the mixture is pureed. You should still have chunks of strawberries in the mixture. This makes about 2 cups of puree. You only need approximately 1/3 cup of this puree for one glass of the strawberry matcha latte.* Set aside.
  • Place the matcha powder into a bowl. Combine the matcha powder with the hot water. Blend using a whisk or a frother until smooth.
  • In a tall glass, pour in your strawberry puree. You can add as much or as little as you would like. I prefer 1/3 cup of the strawberry puree.
  • Then, add the ice into the glass. Next, you add the milk. Pour the milk slowly over the ice so that it does not mix with the strawberry puree.
  • Finally pour the matcha over the milk layer. Once again, pour slowly over the ice to keep the layers from combining. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • *The strawberry puree mixture can keep in the fridge for a week in an airtight container. You can make multiple strawberry matcha lattes with this puree. You can also make Korean strawberry milk with this puree.

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